'Philippine Idol' auditions to kick into high gear

I won't be surprised if ABS-CBN and GMA 7 sit up and take notice of the launching of "Philippine Idol" on ABC 5. Hundreds of star wannabes had lined up at Fast Tracks in SM Fairview to audition for the show, despite the downpour brought by Storm Caloy.

The lines formed as early as 7AM. Only 150 were taken in. The rest can try their luck again during the main audition June 3 at PICC. Some of those who tried out lacked the talent, but they more than made up for it with their enthusiasm. One must have been inspired by William Hung. Another tried it sound like rocker Chris Daughtry. There was one who went directly to SM Fairview directly from his shift in a call center. He hadn't slept yet. Then there was this female security guard who was widely applauded for her version of an Aegis song.

Fast Tracks also pre-screened some applicants and gave them a special VIP pass so they can join the audition proper. That saves them the long queues. Auditions will be held in Manila, Davao and Cebu. The chosen ones from North and South Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao get free transportation, food at lodging if they make it to the main audition.

For the meantime, here's the Fast Tracks schedule for Metro Manila and Luzon for May and June: May 19 - SM Bicutan (Parañaque); May 26 - SM Baguio; May 27 Southamall (Las Piñas), SM Centerpoint (Sta. Mesa) and CSI Mall San Fernando (La Union); May 30 - SM Valenzuela; June 1 - SM Manila; June 2 - SM San Lazaro, June 3 - SM Batangas - June 4 - SM Sta. Rosa; June 5 - SM Marilao (Bulacan).

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The movie "Minsan Pa" starring Ara Mina and Jomari Yllana has been invited to join a film festival in Petersburg, Russia on June 23-29.

It's a non-competitive event but prestigious nonetheless. The film's producer, Atty. Jojie Alonzo, said she has spoken to Sergey Grigonov, the festival programmer, and was just waiting for a written confirmation.

"Minsan Pa" has been doing the rounds of festivals.

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President Gloria Arroyo had planned to watch the second-night concert of Paul Anka at the Araneta Coliseum last Monday night. She wasn't able to make it. Too bad because she would've enjoyed the show.

We all remember Paul Anka as the composer of My Way, which Frank Sinatra popularized. The audience at the Big Dome were definitely not from the Bagets set. I suspect there were not a few grandfathers and grandmothers in the crowd that packed the coliseum.

I heard Ms. Gloria Diaz watched the Monday concert. I didn't know the former Miss Universe had a boyfriend younger than she is, a banker.

That puts her in the league of Kris, Aiko, Ai Ai who have bagets BFs. Paul Anka supposedly drew a bigger audience than the member of the Fra Lippo Lippi who performed at the same venue two nights earlier. Perhaps because a storm had blown into town that night.

Still to come is Engelbert Humperdinck, another of our parents' favorites.

By the way, I heard that a coliseum bigger than the Big Dome will be built at the Mall of Asia.

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When fire destroyed the stalls in Quiapo selling pirated audio and video products last week, Optical Media Board Chairman Edu Manzano, the nemesis of video pirates, became a good Samaritan.

He brought the fire victims some food. "I wanted them to realize that when I raid their establishments, it's because it's my job," Edu told me when he called to say his agency was watching out for illegally copied VCDs or DVDs of "The Da Vinci Code."

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I was impressed by Ai Ai's performance in "Bituing Walang Ningning." She showed she could handle not only comedy but drama as well. During the presscon for the teleseries, she told me she had so many crying scenes she thought she would get dehydrated!

Right now the story is focused on Ai Ai. The lead star, Sarah Geronimo, has yet to make an appearance because her character has not grown up yet.

Looks like Viva Films' "Dear Heart" will be the launching movie for Sarah. The film follows the launching of "Bituin," where Sarah debuts as a telenovela star.

Sarah considers the new projects a big leap in her career. "It's an honor and a blessing, to have gone this far. Sometimes I can't believe it's all happening."

"I'm very thankful to God for giving me the chance to make full use of my talent," she says.